Description
Juicy Grilled Vietnamese Chicken offers tender, flavorful chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant blend of lemongrass, garlic, and fresh herbs. This recipe balances tangy, sweet, and savory notes with natural ingredients to create a healthy, quick, and easy meal perfect for grilling. Serve with rice, noodles, or fresh lettuce wraps for a delicious and versatile dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 2 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (natural)
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 3 tablespoons grape juice (natural)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small red chili, finely sliced (optional)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Combine finely chopped lemongrass, minced garlic, brown sugar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), grape juice (natural), fish sauce (natural), freshly ground black pepper, and optional sliced chili in a bowl. Whisk everything together until the sugar dissolves and the flavors meld perfectly.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring every piece is coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for an optimum flavor infusion.
- Preheat and Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. This will give you that perfect sear while locking in the juices.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and place on the grill. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, turning once. The chicken should develop beautiful grill marks and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety and juiciness.
- Garnish and Serve: Once grilled, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Top with fresh cilantro and green onions for added brightness. Serve hot with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Use uniformly sized chicken pieces for even cooking.
- Marinate longer for deeper flavor and improved tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and keep the chicken moist.
- Allow the grilled chicken to rest after cooking to redistribute juices.
- Incorporate fresh herbs at the end for the brightest flavor impact.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with marinade and garnishes
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Vietnamese grilled chicken, lemongrass chicken, juicy grilled chicken, healthy chicken recipe, Vietnamese marinade
